Former Army specialist sentenced for trying to join Al-Shabbab
The Baltimore Sun reports today that Craig Benedict Baxam, 26, of Laurel, MD was sentenced to seven years for trying to join the African terror group, Al-Shabbab after he finished his stint in the Army as an intelligence specialist;
Baxam’s attorney argued that the defendant merely wanted to practice Islam among other Muslims in Somalia, and that he was free under the First Amendment to take actions to do so.
But the U.S. attorney’s office contended that Baxam wanted to fight and was prepared to die for al-Shabaab, which is a crime. Federal prosecutors originally charged Baxam with attempting to provide material support to al-Shabaab.
Noah Feldman, a professor at Harvard Law School who has examined the free-speech implications of terrorism prosecutions, said Baxam’s case rested on a tricky legal issue.
“The question is, could you join without supporting?” Feldman said. “That’s not entirely clear.
“Under the law, if you engaged in coordinated action designed to support al-Shabaab, even if you were not a member and even if your action was as a whole peaceful, you could be found guilty of providing material support.”
Yeah, judging by the picture from a Somali website, he looks like he was just going lend moral support to the al Qaeda-connected terrorist group.
Category: Terror War
Intelligence, huh?
Sounds like the DoD needs some of that.
If Obama had a son…..
Again, I expect to get beat about the head and shoulders for saying this but…
Imo, attempting to join up with an enemy force while that, and all it’s fellow traveler forces are engaged in hostilities with our own, is treason and all playing at that should be choke hanged.
But, then again, there’s no greater aid and comfort an enemy can be given that simply ordering our forces to walk away from the fight and pretend it’s all over.
why cant we ever find these guys and shoot them before they can make it trial he is a traitor pure and simple just like the he/she/it manning at Leavenworth. Just shoot them and be done with it.
What is up with Maryland and terrorist types? I know the state hates guns. I know it is a safehaven for illegals. I know that the state is run by uber libs. Wait. Scratch that. I answered my own question.
Kind of fades into the bush, doesn’t he? Well, he would but for that that black and white Catholic girls’ uniform jumper tied around his head.
@5:
Another question that needs asking…
What is up with the US Army and intel specialists?
So, is that a paste on beard?
Is his middle name really Benedict, as in Arnold type?
Now Jonn, I think we are being a little to quick to judge his Muslim terrorist ass!!!
“The question is, could you join without supporting?” Feldman said. “That’s not entirely clear.”
How is any of this unclear? Typical lawfare double-speak.
Either satisfies the Aid and Comfort thing = Treason = 2 rounds in the Brain Housing Group.
“The question is, could you join without supporting?” Feldman said. “That’s not entirely clear.”
I hate lawyers.
Asshole.
So, maybe I missed something here. The Harvard Law School professor says Baxam’s case rests on a tricky legal issue. “The question is,could you join without supporting? That’s not entirely clear?” Seems to me it is implictly clear. To me, trying to joining the group does mean you support it. Why else would you join the group? If I missed the point,please,someone kindly explain it to me.
Glad I did not have to go all those years to Harvard Law School to see whether or not you could join without supporting. What a fucking tool bag.
I am all about due process, but have a tough time working up any sympathy for admitted terrorist’s or terrorist supporters. And fancy Harvard Law School professor’s who ask stupid questions on behalf of a terrorist go to the top of my list.
@14. Someone can be a member of a political party but support the party he joined neither with money nor votes. Does his name on the rolls of a particular party establish support for that party? You would probably say yes. I would say no b/c, in my case, I like belonging to a party which I despise. One other thing. I am speaking ONLY about the isolated question of whether membership necessarily means support. I well understand that additional facts demand the conclusion you draw.
Thanks @14. I never thought of this in the way you described. Something to think about.
2/17 Air Cav: while not 100% definitive, I would argue that voluntarily joining a group that had already been designated by the Federal government as a terrorist organization would be strong evidence of actual support for that group given the potential penalties faced by someone if caught. I would also argue that afterwards attempting to destroy all electronic records of joining said group in your possession would move that from the “not 100% definitive” into the “fully definitive” category.
YMMV.
So this is what they are saying about him at the Somali web site … sounds guilty to me:
Waaxda Cadaaladda wadanka Maraykanka ayaa waxay ku eedeeysay Askari Maraykanka ah oo magaciisa lagu sheegay Craig Benedict Baxam inuu ku biray Xarakada Al-Shabaab.
Sida lagu soo warramay Askarigan ayaa wuxuu horey uga tirsnaan jiray ciidamada Maraykanka waxaana haatan lagu xiray dalka Mareykanka kadib markii lagu eedeeyay inuu doonayay inuu ku biiro Xarakadda Al-Shabab oo Soomaaliya ka dagaalanta.
Waxaa la soo sheegay in ninkaan laga soo qabtay garoonka diyaaradaha magaaladda Washington xilli uu doonayay inuu Soomaaliya u soo safro si uu ugu biiro dagaalyahanada Al-Shabab waxaana la qabtay galinkii dambe ee maalinimadii Isniinta.
Hay’adaha ammaanka (FBI) wadanka Maraykanka ayaa caddeysay in Craig Benedict Baxam oo 24 sanno jir, wuxuuna ka tirsanaa ciidamada Maraykanka, sidoo kale waxaa ninkan lagu eedeeyay inuu damacsanaa inuu tago wadanka kenya kadibna uu Soomaaliya soo aado si uu uga mid noqdo ragga Al-Shabab u dagaalama.
War ka soo baxay Hay’adda FBI,da Maraykanka ayaa sheegaya in Askarigan uu su’aalo laga weydinayo arrimihii lagu soo eedeeyey ee ahaa inuu xiriir la leeyahay Al-Shabab waxaana waaxda cadaaladda Maraykanku sheegtay inuu Diinta Islamka qaatay sanado ka hor Baxman ayaa waxaa laga soo xigtay inuu mar yiri ” Waxaan doonayaa inaan dagaal ku dhinto si aan Janno u galo” hadalkaasna waxaa uu sheegay mar ay ay su’aalo waydiiyeens saraakiil FB.da Maraykanka ka tirsan.
Sida la sheegay Askarigan ayaa waxa uu ka soo hawl galay intii uu ciiidamada Maraykanka ka tirsanaa wadamada Ciraaq iyo South Korea waxaana haddii lagu helo dambigaan uu wajahayaa xukun ah 15 sanno oo xarig ah.
Si kasta ha ahaatee Al-Shabab ayaa waxaa la sheegaa inay ka garab dagaalamaan dagaalyahano aan Soomaali aheyn kuwasoo uu ka mid yahay Abuu Mansuur Al-Amriki oo dalka Maraykanka u dhashay.
Any questions?
Carry on!
@18. Ah, you are adding some facts. The isolated question is whether joining or, if prefer, being a member of a group, in itself, is support for that group. When one adds facts, such as membership dues, terror-watch list, wore a tee shirt or button with the group’s name on it, the conclusion is clear. Without them, I see how the issue can be characterized as “tricky.”
2/17 Air Cav: your comments 16 and 20 remind me of a lawyer joke, amigo.
Q: “Why don’t lawyers ever order shark at a seafood restaurant?”
A: “Professional courtesy.”
(smile)
@14: Perhaps the ‘support’ in question refers to material, rather than emotional / idealistic / etc. support? Legal terminology often has a particular meaning that isn’t necessarily equal to its common-sense counterpart.
Just my two cents. Clearly he supports their ideology.
@21. Lawyers suck. Until you need one-unless you need one b/c of what some other guy’s lawyer did, which it always in civil cases and, in which case, they still suck.
Words have meaning. More often than not, words have several specific, but different, meanings. So, yes, it can be very tricky trying to say that just because one “belongs” to a group that they support it.
On the other hand, anyone who travels around the world to take up arms against one’s own country is a traitor, whether the current administration chooses to recognize it or not.
What’s different between a halibut and a lawyer?
One’s a slimy, cold blooded bottom feeder.
The other is a fish.
@24 “On the other hand, anyone who travels around the world to take up arms against one’s own country is a traitor, whether the current administration chooses to recognize it or not.”
I totally agree with you OWB. I would just add that anyone who does it on our soil, such as at Ft. Hood, is the same. Although I think you believe this already, making it a moot point.
Again, regardless of whether the current administration has the balls to call them what they are. I am a Republican and do not always support their platform. But I am still a Republican in how I live my life and conduct my affairs. I simply live a conservative life.
This guy is a terrorist. Plain as the nose on my face. Whether here in the US or in Somalia, he is a terrorist. As such he should be killed as all terrorists bent on the destruction of America. It’s no more complicated than that for me. Regardless of the Harvard ass hole trying to get his name in the news by playing devil’s advocate in the case against someone who would smile while cutting his Harvard educated throat. All in the name of Allah of course.
Can’t argue with the truth, Sparks. And you voiced it well.
Intelligence specialist? Send this asshat to Huachuca where he was trained. My backyard shares a fence with east range. I’ll treat him to a pork free dinner, then toss his ass over the fence as he sleeps. Coyotes gotta eat, ya know